Factory Stock Showdown racer Joe Welch has been disqualified a second time during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals following a first-round win.

Per an NHRA official, Welch was disqualified officially for an illegal throttle body modification.

Welch defeated Mark Pawuk in the first round; however, following the ruling Pawuk will be reinstated.

Originally posted 9-02

Joe Welch, a back-to-back Factory Stock event winner (Bristol 2018, Norwalk 2018), was disqualified from counting his first and second qualifying passes at the Chevrolet Performance NHRA U.S. Nationals after it was found that he had an illegal suspension system.

Welch said that he didn’t know the adjustable link on his suspension was illegal, but after looking at the rules, he doesn’t deny having it on his 2015 Dodge Challenger.

“I’ve been running the same suspension since 2015. The car was totally torn down in 2015 during the tech inspection, and again when I ran at the Gatornationals this year… They put the suspension together on the car, and we brought it out that way. And we brought it out the first race, it’s never been different. But today it was an issue.”

But Welch says even though he was running an illegal suspension system, “the adjustable link did not give me a performance advantage.”

“I went through a full inspection on my suspension system, they spent about half an hour and took pictures of it, and no one said anything. But, clearly, I don’t disagree with what the rule says. It says I can’t have an adjustable link on the bottom, and my link is adjustable. I’ve never adjusted it. It is what it is, and I’m sorry that it happened.”

Welch is more concerned about possible engine damage from the second qualifying pass.

“Something happened in my supercharger, peeled off a piece of metal, and we just got the car put back together about five minutes ago. I’ve got my fingers crossed that it didn’t do any internal damage to the engine. We did all the diagnostic tests that we could do. Clearly, there isn’t enough time for us to change an engine and be ready for tomorrow.”

Welch says his goal now is to focus and just get qualified.

“The goal is to put a conservative tune in it so we don’t spin the tires; don’t try to be Mr. Macho out there. Let’s get in the field, and hopefully we get one more qualifying run and then, if we get in on this one, we’ll see what we’ve got in the car.”

Even though he’s brought home two Wallys this year, Welch has had a pretty difficult season when it comes to getting qualified.

“Ironically, every race that I’ve won this year - Norwalk and Bristol - we’ve just had a miserable time qualifying. I’ve just not an uneventful qualification. I’ve had a rough time.”

Even with some fingers being pointed at Welch, he claims he’s not a cheater.

“I’m not going to whine and cry, but I’ve had more than my fair share of love from my other racers. I’m pretty sure I know who’s doing it. I’ve had just about every part on this car inspected. I’m sure that it’s not over. But you win a couple races, and some people just gotta make you to be a cheater.”

“I’m not a cheater. Well, I don’t think I am. I don’t start off to cheat, that’s for darn sure. The adjustable link did not give me a performance advantage.”

Welch has one more chance to qualify for the field in the fourth round of qualifying on Sunday.